It took Manchester City 84 minutes to break the deadlock, but in the end, they were clinical when it mattered most. Goals from 20-year-old Nico O'Reilly and substitute Mateo Kovacic gave Pep Guardiola’s side a hard-fought 2-0 win over a stubborn Everton, keeping them firmly in the race for a top-four finish.
The first 75 minutes were anything but easy for City. David Moyes’ Everton defended with grit and could have taken the lead themselves — James Tarkowski headed against the post in the first half, and Abdoulaye Doucoure saw a goal-bound shot blocked brilliantly by Josko Gvardiol.
But the breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute when O’Reilly, one of City’s standout performers, ghosted into the six-yard box to convert Matheus Nunes’ low cross. It was a poacher’s finish from the young defender, who continues to impress at both ends of the pitch.
In added time, Kovacic sealed the points with a low, driven strike from the edge of the area after great hold-up play from Ilkay Gündogan. It was the Croatian’s second goal in as many games and a timely reminder of his value in City’s midfield.
City dominated possession and chances, finishing with 2.09 expected goals (xG) to Everton’s 0.93. The win extends their unbeaten run to five league matches and sets up a crucial clash against Aston Villa at the Etihad on Tuesday night.
Everton, meanwhile, will feel hard done by after a solid defensive showing for much of the match. They’ll have a week to regroup before their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend.
